Pocono area's public transportation popularity continues to grow

Ridership for public transportation in the Poconos is on the rise, even with the dip in the economy and slow climb toward recovery.

JENNA EBERSOLE

Ridership for public transportation in the Poconos is on the rise, even with the dip in the economy and slow climb toward recovery.

When gas prices rise and residents face economic concerns, the trend is often associated with increased use of public transit, Monroe County Transit Authority Assistant Executive Director Richard Schlameuss said. But even as the area begins to recover, ridership has continued to increase.

"We've seen good, strong growth in ridership over the past several years," he said, with no sign of it slowing down.

From July 2011 through June 2012, the authority had 245,389 riders, he said. The same span last year had a few thousand less, but this year the numbers are on track to be above the 245,000-mark, Schlameuss said.

In the July-June span of 2010-11, the authority had about 217,000 riders, also higher in a slow upward trend from about 177,000 in 2006-07 and 197,000 in 2008-09, Schlameuss said.

Residents are recognizing the expense and hassle of owning a car, he said, with insurance costs combined with fuel and maintenance. Seniors who may not be able to drive anymore also contribute to higher ridership numbers.

Another exciting trend, he said, is that younger people are using the service. Nationally, he said people are starting to view public transit more favorably.

"As long as we can provide service that's timely and dependable, it's a good consideration," he said.

The authority has also seen an increase in its shared ride program. And even if the Poconos will likely never be as connected as Boston or New York, many people are public transit literate, and everyone is beginning to see the benefits.

"It's starting to catch on," he said.

Christopher Bouton, 19, of Marshalls Creek, waited at a bus stop Friday by the Stroud Mall with his brother. He held several shopping bags and said he needed to do clothes shopping. Bouton said he does not have a car that is in service, and the bus is "pretty reliable."

Still, he said he hopes to get a working vehicle again soon. But in the meantime, the bus is also helpful given that the Pocono area is not very densely populated.

"Places are pretty far out from each other," he said. "So it's definitely caused us to use the bus up here."